Trailer



May 10, 1932- -I A; F. lKUESTER f 1,857,784

Filed Apri; 7, 1930 O O i Patented May l0, 19.32

f' AUGUST F. xUEs'rnn; Vor eLINroNvrntii fWIscoNsiN; #armurev l Applica-'nonna apra?, 1930. sealan-.442367.

This invention `relates to improvements in trailers and more particularlyto that type known as the underslung or. low bed..A type o f trailer. y l l One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a trailer wherein thebed is suspended from the axles to apoint just'above the traction surface, whereby should the sup` porting wheels for the trailer `sink into a 1Q. soft surface, the trailer can4 be readily/ dragged along on its lowerface without interfering with the traction of the device.A Anotherobject of my inventionis the provision of novel means, for suspending the trailer platform fromv the axles of the traction wheelswherebythebed ofthel trailer is supported just abovethe traction lsurface so that due to any heavy loads, should the traction wheels sink Abelow the normal traction surface, thetrailer'canbe easily dragged along on the surface `so as not tointerferej v `to provide a substantially even surface for with the progress of the trailer.

A. further object of `theminvention `is thev provision of what is known as underslung 5 or low bed trailer which can lbe attached to axles of traction Wheels andlprovided with means at one end for' connecting the trailerto motive power, suchas la tractor or the like, whereby to convey comparatively heavy loads over a traction surface, 'and the device is of such construction that it can be,manu factured and placed on the market ata-very low cost.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction. the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed outin theclaims and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure' 14 is a longitudinal sectionalview,

taken through my improved trailer;l

Figure 2 is a transverse section on theline 2 2 of-'Figure 1, with one of thetraction wheels in elevation;

Figure 3 is a top plan view; and, Figuret is a detaill section on the line 4-4of`FigureL y i Referring more particularly tothe drawings', -1 indicates the treads of a well `known type of traction vwheelsy 2,moun'te`d upon thel stub aides 3.` ,Each-axle is provided atfits inner end with a disc-like head portion 4 providing an annular flange around the inner l v endvof the axle.` v

The flange or head-4 isprovided with a plurality o openings -for bolts vwhich are passedthrough a substantial rectangular suspension plate 6 `which isengaged "with each head or iange 4,'as shown, in the drawings.` The lower edge of thiskplateextends downwardly below the head4'to any redetermined distancel and between thepllates 6 is` a 'plat-former bed -7,. v v In the construction of the platform lor bed V7, twosubstantially heavy angular plates `8` are used foreach side of the bed with their v horizontal vportions extending toward `each lother-and adapted to'receive thereon the ends of y the -Y cross pieces 9 which 4are arranged transversely of thebed with thelrvedges in intimate contact. yas showuinfFlgure 1, so'as the lupper face of the bed.` The vertical por tions of the angular plates 8 are secured to the lower extended portions of the plate 6, as shown-in Figures: 1 .and 2, for supporting the s latform or bed a predetermined distance beowvthe axles 8 in order to reinforce the bed l and to securely maintain the cross pieces' 9 in proper position, angle bars 10 are arranged upon the tops of the crossgpieces- 9and are securedin position by havmg their vertical vflanges boltedV to the vertical anges of the ',angularplates 8 by means of suitable bolts y11, While the horizontalportions thereof are secured inposition by means of the headed bolts 12 which connectfthe cross pieces to the lhorizontal portions of the angular plates 8. a

At the front of the bed or platform, there f attached to the upper face thereof a channel bar 13 whichhasitsl forward end arranged` in a plane above a portion ofthe bar which is clined part ,14.* The channelbar 13 is reinforced and given an added `strength through the medium of a brace bar 15, the inner end 4attached to the platform by means of the'in- 'of which extends-onto the lowerface yof the y -platformorbed 7 'and is secured theretoby means of. bolts -16 which hold thechan'nel bar '13 in place. The vouter lendsof bars 14 and f spacing sleeve 18 thereon, and the extremities of bars 14 and 15 are provided with aligned openings to receive a clevis bolt.

It will be noted that both the front and rear ends of the bed or platform are provided ,withy angle irons v10to not only reinforce the end port-ions but to provide an upstanding stop plate to revent articles from sliding oil' of ythe plat orm should the same assume an inclined position. The angular plates 8 and 10 also may have attached to the outer face thereof, the sockets 20-whichfare used for su porting side stakes upon the trailer.,

t will be apparent from the foregoing that a low bed trailer constructed in accordance withmy invention will not only prove ex'- tremely useful for conveying heavy loads over a smooth, hard surface, but will prove very practical when it is necessary to convey heavy loads over a comparatively softtraction surface where the wheels have a tendency to sink below the surface as the bed or platform will then ride upon the upper surface and can be dragged along on its lower face. It will also be noted that by having the bed or platform swung below the supporting axles, heavy articles such as safes and the like, can be easily loaded onto the trailer and unloaded. It will also be noted that the plates 6 can be readily attached to or detached from the axle flange or head 4, and plates of different widths can be used for suspending the platform at different heights with respect to the traction axles, and the securing bolts which attach the vertical portion of'angular plates 8 to the suspension plate 6 can be altered with regard to their position if the case requires, so that the relative position of the bed or platform can be changed with respect to the axles 3.'l

One of the important features of my invention is the formation of the platform, and the fact that the lower faces of the horizontal portions orflangesfof the angular side plates 8 not only form means for uniting the body boards or cross pieces 9, but also form runners for engaging soft surfaces should the wheels sink in the soft surfaces.

It is believed that va trailer constructed in accordance with my invention will prove extremely useful in transporting safes and other heavy objects, and due to the simplicity of construction of the device, it can be manu' factured and placed on the market at a very low cost. Attention is also directed to the fact that while only two traction Wheels are descrlbed and illustrated as supporting the bed or platform, any number vof supporting wheels can be used and the length of the platform extended, if found desirable. v

It will be noted that the angle bars 10 eX- tend llongitudinally the full length of the traller and cooperate with theangle plates l..8 to properly y reinforce the longitudinal edges of the platform 7. The horizontal por tions of the angle plates 10 which extend onto the upper face of the platform also provide suitable engaging means for the heads of the bolts 12, whereby these bolts will not have a tendency to pull through the platform under heav load.

With regard to the connection between the plate 6 and the axles 3, attention is directed to the fact that while I have shown and described the inner ends of the axles as provided with an annular flange, it will be apparent that various other ways may be provided forsupporting plate 6 upon the inner ends 'of the axles, so that the plates maybe readily connected or disconnected to the axles.

While I have shown and described the pre1y I ferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that slight changes may be made in the construction when putting the invention into practice without departing from the spirit ofthe same orthe scope of the appended claims.

I claim: i 1. A trailer including spaced traction wheels,` axles carried thereby7 and lhaving head portions at the inner ends, a platform,

angular plates embracing the longitudinal edges of the platform, and means for detachably connecting said angular plates with the heads on the axles for supporting the platform below said axles.y

2. A trailer including spaced tract-ion wheels, axles carried thereby and having head portions at the inner ends thereof, supporting plates attached'to the heads of the axles( and extendingbelow said axles, angular plates having their vertical portions attached to the supporting plates and a platform supported by the horizontal portions of said angular plates whereby the platform is supported below the'axles and just above the traction surface of the wheels.

3. A trailer including traction wheels, axles carried therebyeach having a circular head plate at'its inner end, a platform including parallel contacting cross` pieces, angular plates atthe ends of the cross pieces with the horizontal portions thereof disposed beneath the cross pieces and secured thereto, means forming removable connection between'the head pieces on the axles and the vertical pori tion on ,the angular plates, whereby to support said platform beneath the axles and at different heights relative to the treads of the traction wheels. and attaching means at oneA f end of said platform for connectingvthe same'v ing spaced traction wheels, stub axles carried by said wheels, flanged heads on the inner ends of said axles, supporting plates removably attached to the heads and extending be- 10W the same, a platform, angular plates having their horizontal portions positioned beneath the bottom of the platform and secured thereto, and the vertical portions of said angular plates extending upwardly and attached to the depending portions of the supporting plates.

6. A trailer for use on soft surfaces comprising a body including longitudinally extending vertical side plates having inwardly directed horizontally disposed supporting flanges, body boards bridging the side plates and resting on the top faces of the flanges,

angle bars Ysecured to the inner faces of the side plates above the body boards, means uniting the angle bars. body boards, and Hanges together, upwardly extending plates connected with the side plates, and vehicle supporting wheels associated with said last mentioned plates, the lower faces of the sup-l` porting flanges of the side plates forming runners for engaging the ground, should the wheels sink in the soft surface.

`[n testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee. in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin. y

AUGUST F. KUESTER. 

